2 Corinthians 5

My study guide asked me to put the doctrine of imputation in my own words today. Not an easy task. But here goes…

Holy Jesus, who never sinned, became sin. God, who must punish sin, punished Jesus without mercy. The separation (the required consequence of sin) was real, and painful. Jesus paid the debt for sin in full, once and for all. Then he defeated death by living again.

When I repent of sin and accept the grace God offers by virtue of Jesus’ completed work on the cross, I become His righteousness. Just like Jesus became sin even though he didn’t have sin of his own, I become righteous even though I have no righteousness of my own.

“What do you mean,” people might say. “You’re a good person. You’ve done good things.”

That’s not righteousness. God’s righteousness is perfect, holy, sinless. And for the fact that I’ve done even one bad thing, thought even one bad thought, renders me imperfect, unholy, and a sinner. I earned the separation from God because of my sin.

But because of Jesus, God exchanges my sin for His righteousness. The exchange placed my sin on Jesus, and Jesus’ righteousness on me. That’s what the doctrine of imputation is about.

Think about it. I am the righteousness of God! God has entrusted me with His reputation. When people look at my life they ought to recognize the righteousness that is God. I ask myself if I really reflect God’s righteousness, or do I still wear the sin I refuse to confess? What does my life say about the righteousness of God?

I AM THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD!

As I go about my day today, may I keep that truth at the forefront of everything I do and say. May God give me the desire and the strength to show the world what He has graciously given me… His own righteousness.

Amazing.